Author Topic: Meet our fearless leader! (Read 27481 times)

Lee Torrens · « **on:** January 09, 2009, 07:28 »

You may not yet be aware, but our fearless leader of Microstock Group, Tyler Olsen aka Leaf will be appearing at the User Generated Content Conference and Expo (UGCX) this February in San Jose. Not just once, but TWICE!

Leaf is on a panel titled Servicing the Crowd: Business Opportunities around UGC where he'll discuss his experience creating and operating a business servicing a UGC market (microstock) - effectively representing all forums that cover UGC businesses. Not only has he built up an amazing resource which everybody in the industry watches (trust me, they ALL do!), but he's also created a real community - not just a few people swapping tips, but a real community where people know each other, help each other, throw the occasional insult, but generally contribute for the benefit of the community.

Leaf's second panel is Making a living in Microstock which features microstockers successful enough to live on their microstock earnings. They'll discuss and answer questions on how they've achieved that success and how others can do the same.

You may also recognise many others participating in the conference.
...alphabetically:

Yuri Arcurs - "the world's top selling microstock photographer"... enough said
Ellen Boughn - industry consultant and Dreamstime's Director of Content (and superstar blogger!)
Kelly Cline - the 'big time' food photographer from iStockphoto's exclusive ranks
Fred Durham - founder and CEO of CafePress - I know some people here sell photos on CafePress
John Griffin - founder and CEO of Cutcaster, and avid user of Microstock Group
Jack Hollingsworth - guru traditional stock photographer who's giving a solo session on "Stock 2.0"!
Jeffrey Kalmikoff - the Threadless guy!... enough said
Bruce Livingstone - founder and CEO of the microstock industry. Just kidding... sort of. iStockphoto founder & CEO
Rahul Pathak - founder and CEO of LookStat, the new microstock earnings tracking and analysis website
Andres Rodriguez - the outspoken top microstocker, aka "the nicest guy in microstock"
Yuval Tal - CEO of Payoneer, the Mastercard debit card microstock payout facility
Kelly Thompson - iStockphoto COO and guru architect of all things good at iStock
James West - co-founder and CEO of Alamy. Yes, ALAMY is there!

Bruce Livingstone & Kelly Thompson are doing a tag-team keynote, and Fred Durham is doing one too. Those familiar with the entrepreneurial field will be interested to know that Guy Kawasaki is also keynoting, and Craigslist founder Craig Newmark's keynote makes it four!

Impressive list, don't you think?

The conference runs February 9 - 10, is at the San Jose Convention Center, in San Jose, California, USA. With a lineup like that, it's worth traveling to be there. You can get more details about the conference itself at the website, www.ugcxevent.com

Entry to the conference isn't cheap for most of us, but you can use Leaf's discount code from the ad at the top of the page (premium members will need to log out to see the ad).

For details on the photography track (where all the above speakers are participating) see this page: http://www.ugcxevent.com/phototrack.html
For a list of all speakers and their bios, see this one: http://www.ugcxevent.com/speakers.html

Just to be clear, I'm promoting this event here because I think it's awesome and very relevant to us as microstockers. I'm conference co-chair and will be moderating the 'Making a Living in Microstock' session, but there's no financial benefit for me (or leaf) if you buy a ticket. However, it would be great for us to share it with you.

I look forward to reading your responses and I hope I will meet many of you there. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them. Just post below, or feel free to PM me or contact my via my site.

-Lee

edit to correct link address

Neustock Media · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2009, 08:00 »

Looks interesting alright I am thinking of making the journey from little old Ireland to San Jose, great opportunity to put faces to some of those names!

NS

sharpshot · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2009, 09:23 »

Will they be making a video? Alamy video their annual meeting and I have watched the last 2. Makes more sense than all of us going to San Jose.

madelaide · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2009, 09:41 »

San Jose is a bit out of my way, but congratulation Leaf on the double feauture.

Yes, a video would be nice. A free ticket to San Jose wouldn't be bad either.

Regards,
Adelaide

Lee Torrens · « **Reply #4 on:** January 09, 2009, 10:10 »

Quote from: sharpshot on January 09, 2009, 09:23

Will they be making a video? Alamy video their annual meeting and I have watched the last 2. Makes more sense than all of us going to San Jose.

It makes sense for Alamy who make money selling photos. For a conference which makes money on ticket sales, it doesn't make much sense. Unless they sold the videos, but then you wouldn't get to ask questions. I haven't heard any plans to film the sessions, but I'll find out. At minimum, I'll ensure you all get a photo of Leaf in action!

hali · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2009, 11:47 »

Quote from: Lee Torrens on January 09, 2009, 10:10

(EDIT)
... I haven't heard any plans to film the sessions, but I'll find out. At minimum, I'll ensure you all get a photo of Leaf in action!

congrats to all involved. And Lee, once you get that vid out to us, our "fearless" leader will no longer also be our "faceless" leader .at least to me, as I've written to leaf several times, ( I used to live in his hometown), but never seen his self-portrait)

Lee Torrens · « **Reply #6 on:** January 09, 2009, 12:09 »

Quote from: hali on January 09, 2009, 11:47

congrats to all involved. And Lee, once you get that vid out to us, our "fearless" leader will no longer also be our "faceless" leader .at least to me, as I've written to leaf several times, ( I used to live in his hometown), but never seen his self-portrait)

Faceless is he? Not any longer:

Sorry Tyler, couldn't resist.

grp_photo · « **Reply #7 on:** January 09, 2009, 12:41 »

He lost his beard and headphones?

RacePhoto · « **Reply #8 on:** January 09, 2009, 12:52 »

Thanks Lee, hopefully some interesting data will come out of this. Best wishes to everyone involved.

Any video would be potentially useful for marketing future conferences.

Pixart · « **Reply #9 on:** January 09, 2009, 13:35 »

Thanks Lee! I logged out but couldn't find the discount code, is it $195 like the group rates?

Not sure if I can pull it off by the 9th, but I'm very interested in the Social Content Category. We've been cooking some ideas that fall under this category. Not to mention that meeting some of the gang in the photographer's category would be amazing.

I haven't been to see my Aunt and cousins in San Jose for at least 15 years, so if I go to any conference, this would be a good one.

I guess I'll have to decide in the next couple of days. Would be nice to know if most people are staying at same hotel or part of town, but I don't need that info yet.

RT · « **Reply #10 on:** January 09, 2009, 14:05 »

Quote from: Lee Torrens on January 09, 2009, 10:10

Unless they sold the videos, but then you wouldn't get to ask questions.

There's an opportunity staring you in the face

It's sounds like a great conference but a bit to far to go for me, I would be interested in a video though.

leaf · « **Reply #11 on:** January 09, 2009, 18:26 »

thanks for starting the thread Lee.

Yeah, it seems like it is going to be a great time with tons of super info. I am looking forward to it.

-> pixart : the UGCX ad is one of the rotating ones so it only comes up 1 in 4 page loads. Reload the page a couple times to view it. It will be the only round one, so it is fairly easy to spot.

If there are a few of us who end up going, it would be great to meet up sometime. I am sure we will all meet either way, but it would be fun for everyone to get together for coffee or lunch.

Most people are probably staying at the hotel the conferance is in. I think the discount for the conferance hotel is over now (it lasted until January 5th i think) but rooms are surely still available. I am staying in a hotel a few blocks away though that was half the price.... travelling on a budget you know

I may make a living from microstock, but I am not quite to the level of my co-panel members

I forget the name of it now, but i can find out if anyone wants to check it out as another option.

->grp_photo ... yep, beard and headphones were gone... at least for that picture.. they are back though, at least the beard. It gets cold in Norway you know!

Pixart · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2009, 00:56 »

Bloody hell, my passport is expired. I'll have to see check on Monday to see how long a new passport will take before I book anything. The passport office is running slow now that we (Canadians) need one to fly into the U.S. I think I can still cross the border by car without a passport and maybe fly from North Dakota though...

Iriz · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2009, 05:02 »

Quote from: Lee Torrens on January 09, 2009, 12:09

Quote from: hali on January 09, 2009, 11:47
congrats to all involved. And Lee, once you get that vid out to us, our "fearless" leader will no longer also be our "faceless" leader .at least to me, as I've written to leaf several times, ( I used to live in his hometown), but never seen his self-portrait)

Faceless is he? Not any longer:

Sorry Tyler, couldn't resist.

Blown highlights, prison convict attire and 70's sideburns with 3 day old stubble!!

Are you sure this is our leader???

Serious makeover required before this guy gets stopped by customs

Peiling · « **Reply #14 on:** January 10, 2009, 07:41 »

Haha,...sounds interesting but i am too far away in Asia.....

Lee Torrens · « **Reply #15 on:** January 10, 2009, 09:05 »

Quote from: leaf on January 09, 2009, 18:26

thanks for starting the thread Lee.

Yeah, it seems like it is going to be a great time with tons of super info. I am looking forward to it.

Most people are probably staying at the hotel the conferance is in. I think the discount for the conferance hotel is over now (it lasted until January 5th i think) but rooms are surely still available. I am staying in a hotel a few blocks away though that was half the price.... travelling on a budget you know I may make a living from microstock, but I am not quite to the level of my co-panel members

I forget the name of it now, but i can find out if anyone wants to check it out as another option.

The Convention Center is adjacent to the Marriott, which is where the hotel where discount was arranged. There are a lot of people from the photo track staying there.

saswell · « **Reply #16 on:** January 10, 2009, 17:58 »

Hi Lee,

You have a 'g' instead of an 'e' in Kelly Kline's URL...just thought I mentioned it so you can correct it.

Kind regards

S

Lee Torrens · « **Reply #17 on:** January 11, 2009, 10:35 »

Quote from: saswell on January 10, 2009, 17:58

Hi Lee,

You have a 'g' instead of an 'e' in Kelly Kline's URL...just thought I mentioned it so you can correct it.

Kind regards

S

Corrected. Thankyou!

null · « **Reply #18 on:** January 11, 2009, 11:51 »

Quote from: Iriz on January 10, 2009, 05:02

Serious makeover required before this guy gets stopped by customs

Better? Hope someone doesn't get offended

fljac · « **Reply #19 on:** January 11, 2009, 11:57 »

Lool! - How many downloads on this one? - And did he sign a model relase... for minors?

null · « **Reply #20 on:** January 11, 2009, 12:02 »

Quote from: fljac on January 11, 2009, 11:57

And did he sign a model relase... for minors?

Not needed. It's fair use. Although the focus isn't where we feel it needs to be.

PARODY

Pixart · « **Reply #21 on:** January 11, 2009, 14:46 »

Sorry I'm laughing at your expense Tyler, but OMG Flemish, that's hysterical.

litifeta · « **Reply #22 on:** January 11, 2009, 14:51 »

Get rid of the sideburns ... ha ha

digiology · « **Reply #23 on:** January 11, 2009, 17:21 »

That's too funny...

shank_ali · « **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2009, 15:05 »

Sounds like a really good collection of speakers will be present.Not really affordable to people outside the states i would imagine.Would be nice if we could have some video links after the event perhaps.

leaf · « **Reply #25 on:** January 12, 2009, 15:19 »

-> FlemishDreams: That guy needs more hair on his chest to look scary at all!

and at the request of Litifeta & Iriz I will be giving styling tips in the evening, so you might want to check that out

Lee Torrens · « **Reply #26 on:** January 14, 2009, 09:35 »

Quick update: Fotolia's Oleg Tscheltzoff has just been added to the conference program.

kosmikkreeper · « **Reply #27 on:** January 14, 2009, 11:59 »

Gosh darnit.... I wanted to go but I'll be shooting a SPA book in Cancun in a humble resort.

http://paraisodelabonita.com/

vonkara · « **Reply #28 on:** January 14, 2009, 16:05 »

Quote from: kosmikkreeper on January 14, 2009, 11:59

Gosh darnit.... I wanted to go but I'll be shooting a SPA book in Cancun in a humble resort. http://paraisodelabonita.com/

That image is not true. It's photoshoped version of reality

In real this place is like this because of climate change

null · « **Reply #29 on:** January 15, 2009, 06:12 »

Would it be possible that the lower one is Photoshop'd? Can still see the shadows of the palm trees where there are none. Dunno how far North Cancun is from the equator but I can assure you this, living most of the year near the beach on 9 degrees from the equator. Nobody goes suntanning. You would be fried after 5 minutes. Everybody hates the sun. Everybody hates a tanned skin too. Fair is beautiful.

About lies and advertisements, these shots of Boracay. The top one is from the Philippine tourism site and its used daily on TV ads. Everybody wants to be there. At the bottom is the reality as I shot it.
Overcrowded, overpolluted, overexpensive. By a land dispute there is no sewage system nor fresh water on the island. They pump the waste water into the ground and next to it they pump up brackish "sweet" water. The sea is full of green algae by phosphates from human excrements. The World's Best Beach, hahaha.

madelaide · « **Reply #30 on:** January 15, 2009, 12:01 »

Everybody loves the beach in Rio, staying all day longm if they can. I don't, in part because my skin can not resist the sun well, and I don't find it fun to spread 50 grade sun blocker to every inch of my uncovered body.

Regards,
Adelaide

vonkara · « **Reply #31 on:** January 15, 2009, 12:22 »

As I see, everyone in the world are living next to the beach excepting me. It must be a sanction for a past life

Yuri_Arcurs · « **Reply #32 on:** January 15, 2009, 17:45 »

Quote from: FlemishDreams on January 11, 2009, 11:51

Quote from: Iriz on January 10, 2009, 05:02
Serious makeover required before this guy gets stopped by customs

Better? Hope someone doesn't get offended

Freaking great.

goldenangel · « **Reply #33 on:** January 15, 2009, 20:44 »

Quote from: madelaide on January 15, 2009, 12:01

Everybody loves the beach in Rio, staying all day longm if they can. I don't, in part because my skin can not resist the sun well, and I don't find it fun to spread 50 grade sun blocker to every inch of my uncovered body.

Regards,
Adelaide

I envy you Adelaide. It's not just the beach, it is a really wonderful city .. I know Cariocas complain about living in Rio, but it is certainly one of the places on this planet where I would retire

le_cyclope · « **Reply #34 on:** January 15, 2009, 20:55 »

I don't believe such places exist. Must be what they call an «urban legend»...

Minus 30C early this morning here.

Claude

vonkara · « **Reply #35 on:** January 15, 2009, 21:12 »

It's -30 celcius outside right now in "south eastern" Canada. I think with the wind and humidity it's worst

Exactly Claude LOL -sorry a bit late to click on post-

Iriz · « **Reply #36 on:** January 16, 2009, 08:15 »

Quote from: Yuri_Arcurs on January 15, 2009, 17:45

Quote from: FlemishDreams on January 11, 2009, 11:51
Quote from: Iriz on January 10, 2009, 05:02
Serious makeover required before this guy gets stopped by customs

Better? Hope someone doesn't get offended

Freaking great.

I dunno, I prefer the prison duds and hairy mammoth look!

null · « **Reply #37 on:** January 16, 2009, 08:29 »

Quote from: Iriz on January 16, 2009, 08:15

I dunno, I prefer the prison duds and hairy mammoth look!

Too much work to isolate with all those hairs sticking out. We've been told that it's all about cost per picture versus return. With the advent of 25 cents per picture, mammoths are out

yis · « **Reply #38 on:** January 20, 2009, 15:16 »

The event looks amazing. I'll be there.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #39 on:** January 21, 2009, 09:59 »

I'm going to be heading out there as well. If there's any get togethers anyone is scheduling, or knows about, post 'em here. I look forward to putting some names to faces.

leaf · « **Reply #40 on:** January 21, 2009, 10:40 »

ahh yes, looking forward to it as well.

It looks like there will be a few of us then, we will have to have a plan a time to meet, we can set a time a place closer to the date. I am sure we will all run into each other either way but it would be nice to have lunch or at least a coffee together.

Lee Torrens · « **Reply #41 on:** January 21, 2009, 15:54 »

If we're getting a group together we better meet on the Monday night - between the two conference days. I know some people are arriving just before the start and others are leaving right after it finishes.

So let's meet on Monday at 6pm. The conference program finishes at 4:30pm and there's a networking function that I (and hopefully others) will be attending which runs until 5:30pm. If we meet in the foyer of the Marriott Hotel (literally adjacent to the convention center and will be easy access after hours) then we can decide where to go from there.

Andres is in and I let Yuri know the details. Leaf and Sean, can you make this time? Who else will be there?

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #42 on:** January 21, 2009, 16:23 »

AFAIK, I'm open. I assume the microstockgroup.com profits will provide a free beer ?

eta:or microstockdiaries

leaf · « **Reply #43 on:** January 21, 2009, 16:52 »

Quote from: sjlocke on January 21, 2009, 16:23

AFAIK, I'm open. I assume the microstockgroup.com profits will provide a free beer ?

eta:or microstockdiaries

ahhhh profits???

I was thinking that our fearless istock exclusive would be the one with the profits...

Sure, that sounds good Lee.

and for what it's worth, I am coming 2 days early and leaving 1 day late so if anyone wants to meet for lunch or a shoot I am game.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #44 on:** January 21, 2009, 17:03 »

... we'll see

tan510jomast · « **Reply #45 on:** January 21, 2009, 18:05 »

Quote from: madelaide on January 15, 2009, 12:01

Everybody loves the beach in Rio, staying all day longm if they can. I don't, in part because my skin can not resist the sun well, and I don't find it fun to spread 50 grade sun blocker to every inch of my uncovered body.

Regards,
Adelaide

ai adelaidinha , eu choro... pra tenho mais saudade pra brasil bua bua

Lee Torrens · « **Reply #46 on:** January 21, 2009, 19:22 »

Quote from: sjlocke on January 21, 2009, 16:23

AFAIK, I'm open. I assume the microstockgroup.com profits will provide a free beer ?

eta:or microstockdiaries

Ok, my shout. I'll demonstrate that "helping the competition" can be more profitable than you think!

madelaide · « **Reply #47 on:** January 21, 2009, 21:38 »

tan510jomast,

You don't need to cry. Rio is open to visitors all year. It's just a bit rainy at the moment, but promising to be sunny again in the weekend.

Regards,
Adelaide

Lee Torrens · « **Reply #49 on:** January 22, 2009, 16:22 »

Yuri is in.

Rahul, it'll be great to have you there too. Especially with your beer fund contribution. Wait, you haven't started charging for LookStat yet! Don't even think about taking money from the capital needed for Casey to develop!

Another mutual friend and MSG regular, John Griffin, will be at the event too. I'll ping him now.

Who else?

And Rahul, thanks for the kind words. It's been extremely consuming over the past few months so the back pats will be well received.

Rahul Pathak · « **Reply #50 on:** January 22, 2009, 16:54 »

I think the beer fund contribution is coming out of my own pocket

- our unofficial motto (your tweet) is alive and well.

San Jose is going to be a great time.

Rahul

leaf · « **Reply #51 on:** January 23, 2009, 03:53 »

And for those who are thinking of going and are about to purchase a ticket, there is a discount code you can use. It is displayed on one of the rotating banners on the top, but for those who haven't seen it

15% discount with the code SPKRUXTO

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #52 on:** January 23, 2009, 06:54 »

I did use your code, if you get a kickback or something...

leaf · « **Reply #53 on:** January 23, 2009, 08:01 »

no, I don't, just trying to save you a couple bucks

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #54 on:** January 23, 2009, 09:08 »

That's too bad... I mean, good for me... ah, you know.

Lee Torrens · « **Reply #55 on:** February 04, 2009, 15:01 »

I've just emailed all the people who have said they're attending this with new time and details. If anyone else was planning on dropping by, sitemail me and I'll fill you in.

madelaide · « **Reply #56 on:** February 09, 2009, 20:25 »

I hope Leaf comes back soon. The system does not recognize me as a Premium Member anymore, though my fee was charged a few days ago. Boy aren't these ads a pain?

Meanwhile, I hope he is fine in San Jose.

Regards,
Adelaide

leaf · « **Reply #57 on:** February 10, 2009, 02:37 »

sorry madelaide, not sure what went wrong. It is supposed to be automatic. Perhaps since you were one of the first premium members a setting was different for you or something. I will check it out more when I get home.

The conference has been great so far. Very busy, and tons of people and conversations, view points, price points, opinions, news.... and so on and so on. It has been great finally getting to meet a bunch of the people I have heard about and visited with so much online..... so good times!

madelaide · « **Reply #58 on:** February 10, 2009, 15:08 »

No problem, Leaf, I can survive.

Enjoy your time in San Jose. It is a very interesting experiencer to meet folks we know from online only - I met several, not from photo sites, except one that I met in London for an afternoon/evening shooting session from Big Ben to London Eye to Trafalgar Sq.

Regards,
Adelaide